Sexual harassment claims dog Cain
Source: Agencies |
November 3, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
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PRESIDENTIAL candidate Herman Cain continues his political courtship of the United States capital's Republican establishment yesterday, trying to leave behind sexual harassment claims from more than a decade ago even as the lawyer for one accuser tries to cancel a confidentiality pact so she can tell her story.
Yesterday, Cain started his day in Virginia with a speech to doctors about his health care agenda. There, he refused to take questions about the harassment issue.
He told a crowd of reporters: "Don't even bother asking me all of these other questions that you all are curious about, okay? Don't even bother."
When reporters continued to ask questions, Cain's voice rose as he said testily: "What did I say? Excuse me. Excuse me!"
His campaign manager Mark Block said he would address the questions "when it's appropriate."
A Washington website also reported that two women received financial payments from the National Restaurant Association after complaining of inappropriate sexual behavior by Cain, who was then in charge of the trade group.
Many opinion polls show Cain, the former chief executive of a chain of pizza restaurants, running about even with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who had been the front-runner. Cain appeals to some conservatives because he is a political outsider at a time of anti-Washington sentiment that could help the Republicans challenge Democratic President Barack Obama in 2012.
As Cain moved into the final day of what had been planned as a political coming out in Washington, it was clear that his denials of the allegations of improper behavior had not tamped down the furor.
Joel P Bennett, the lawyer for one of two women, said in media interviews on Tuesday that he had asked the trade group to waive an agreement and allow her to talk openly about her allegations and to respond to Cain's claims the complaints were "totally baseless and totally false."
"I know her very well," he told CNN on Tuesday, "and I'm sure she would not make a false complaint."
Over the past two days, Cain has admitted he knew of one agreement between the restaurant association and a woman who accused him of sexual harassment. He has said the woman initially asked for a large financial settlement but ultimately received two to three months' pay as part of a separation agreement.
Cain has also said he is not aware of agreements or settlements with any other women, though Politico - which first disclosed the allegations - reported that the trade group had given settlements to at least two female employees who accused him of inappropriate sexual behavior.
Yesterday, Cain started his day in Virginia with a speech to doctors about his health care agenda. There, he refused to take questions about the harassment issue.
He told a crowd of reporters: "Don't even bother asking me all of these other questions that you all are curious about, okay? Don't even bother."
When reporters continued to ask questions, Cain's voice rose as he said testily: "What did I say? Excuse me. Excuse me!"
His campaign manager Mark Block said he would address the questions "when it's appropriate."
A Washington website also reported that two women received financial payments from the National Restaurant Association after complaining of inappropriate sexual behavior by Cain, who was then in charge of the trade group.
Many opinion polls show Cain, the former chief executive of a chain of pizza restaurants, running about even with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who had been the front-runner. Cain appeals to some conservatives because he is a political outsider at a time of anti-Washington sentiment that could help the Republicans challenge Democratic President Barack Obama in 2012.
As Cain moved into the final day of what had been planned as a political coming out in Washington, it was clear that his denials of the allegations of improper behavior had not tamped down the furor.
Joel P Bennett, the lawyer for one of two women, said in media interviews on Tuesday that he had asked the trade group to waive an agreement and allow her to talk openly about her allegations and to respond to Cain's claims the complaints were "totally baseless and totally false."
"I know her very well," he told CNN on Tuesday, "and I'm sure she would not make a false complaint."
Over the past two days, Cain has admitted he knew of one agreement between the restaurant association and a woman who accused him of sexual harassment. He has said the woman initially asked for a large financial settlement but ultimately received two to three months' pay as part of a separation agreement.
Cain has also said he is not aware of agreements or settlements with any other women, though Politico - which first disclosed the allegations - reported that the trade group had given settlements to at least two female employees who accused him of inappropriate sexual behavior.
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